- Date Of Birth: September 27, 1944
- Date Of Death: November 17, 2022
- State: Texas
Tommy Earl Whitley, September 27, 1944 – November 17, 2022.
Tommy Earl Whitley, 78, of Georgetown, formerly of Killeen.
Tommy passed away suddenly on Thursday, November 17, 2022, in a Round Rock hospital.
Mr. Whitley was born in Gatesville, Texas to parents William Harold Whitley and Hazel Norene (Mayberry) Whitley on September 27, 1944. He spent his formative years in Killeen, Texas, where he attended and graduated from Killeen High School. After graduation, Tommy earned a degree from Mary Hardin Baylor and enlisted in the United States Airforce, where he proudly served our country for three years. Tommy married Shirley Ann (Weir) Whitley in 1971 and had two sons, Chad Whitley and Justin Whitley. They made their home in Austin for many years.
In addition to establishing an impeccable professional reputation and rising through the ranks at Texas Instruments and Motorola in Austin, Texas, Tommy was a devoted family man whose role as father-figure extended well beyond his home. He was a tireless volunteer within the community, including at Town and Country Optimist and the Longhorn Soccer Club, and always managed to find time to support youth development and promote the same virtues and opportunity he fostered at home. Tommy reveled in conversation and never met a stranger. Those who knew him loved him and he selflessly devoted himself to caring for his friends and family, including through his first wife’s long illness and eventual passing.
He was a music enthusiast, motorcycle rider, country western dancer and avid Grapette memorabilia collector. Those passions were eclipsed when he found true love again with Jerri Lynn Johnson, with whom he spent many of the happiest days of his life until her passing.
Tommy was preceded in death by his first wife Shirley Ann (Weir) Whitley in 2002, by his second wife Jerri Lynn (Johnson) Whitley in 2020 and son, Chad Whitley in 2020.
Survivors include his son Chad Whitley’s wife, Krista Whitley and their four amazing daughters, Kristina, Melissa, Jenna, and Layna Whitley. He is also survived by his son Justin Whitley and his wife, Lee Whitley, and their children Marin and Aven Whitley, and Jerri Whitley’s children, Tami Hightower and Tony Taylor, whom Tommy loved as his own and one brother Jerry Whitley.
